Warm and Welcoming Yuanzhou Folk

"Oh!"

Zhang Suannai bounced around, exploring everywhere. She ran to the kitchen doorway but did not go in, merely gripping the doorframe and leaning her upper body inside to look around. "Your kitchen's so well stocked! Do you cook for yourself?"

"No."

"Can you cook?"

"No."

"Then the last tenant left all this behind?"

"There was no last tenant."

"Oh, the original landlord." Zhang Suannai nodded, then eyed the stove again. Suddenly puzzled, she said, "Why does this stove look kind of familiar?"

"Does it?"

"Yeah. Weirdly familiar..."

"What about it looks familiar?" Ning Qing glanced at her from a distance.

"Maybe because most kitchens look like this?" Zhang Suannai quickly came up with an answer. Clever and quick-witted.

"..."

"Hey? What's that look for?"

"Nothing."

"You're so weird..."

Zhang Suannai ran over to the refrigerator and opened it for a look. "Oh! You've even got a few plates of leftovers in here... Did you order takeout? Yesterday or the day before? Is it still good? What dish is this?"

"Chicken giblets with pickled peppers."

"That sounds delicious!" Zhang Suannai said. "Why don't we eat it tonight? It'd be a waste not to, and the government's encouraging everyone to save food these days."

"Sure."

"You seem to like this kind of flavor."

"Mm."

"What specialties do you have in Yuanzhou? Tell me about them. Maybe I'll fly over on my sword to visit someday, and you can take me out to eat!"

"Rice noodles."

"Mm, rice noodles."

"..."

"What else? Go on!"

"Hot-and-sour fish."

"Keep going."

"Papaya and mango dipped in chili."

"That's such a strange way to eat them." Zhang Suannai lifted her chin, signaling for her to continue.

"Steam-pot chicken."

"Why's it called steam-pot chicken?"

"There's chicken in it."

"That sounds good. Anything else?" Zhang Suannai paused, then